Cycling Holidays - Warsaw and the Masurian Lakelands

Warsaw and the Masurian Lakelands

Visit Warsaw and the Masurian Lakelands on this self-guided cycling holiday in Poland. The Masurian lakeland region is of great historical interest and one of Poland’s most popular destinations. Take time to explore the fascinating city of Warsaw, and then cycle past the former Nazi bunker, Wolfs Lair, as you pass picturesque lakes, historic villages and cultural attractions such as the pilgrimage church at Swieta Lipka, a jewel from Baroque times set in the middle of Masurian wildness.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Warsaw

Arrive in Warsaw and take time to explore the Old Town.

Day 2: Warsaw – Babieta – Mragowo

A transfer (3 hours) takes you to Babieta, a village on the banks of the river Krutynia. Pause for lunch and to get your bikes before cycling through lakeland to Mragowo, a resort with a historical town centre and a lakeside promenade.

Cycling distance: 31km

Day 3: Mragowo – Ketrzyn

Your route today takes you alongside beautiful lakes and through small villages to Reszel, in the historic region of Ermland. In Reszel you will find a picturesque old town, a Gothic bridge and an impressive castle that belonged to the Bishops of Ermland. From Reszel continue on to Swieta Lipka, known for its pilgrimage church, a jewel from Baroque times set in the middle of Masurian wildness. The final section today takes you to your overnight stop at Ketrzyn.

Cycling distance: 55km

Day 4: Ketrzyn – Wegorzewo

Visit the gothic castle in Ketrzyn before starting your cycling. Your ride takes you to the 'Wolf's Lair' where Hitler stayed for 800 days hiding and planning during Wordl War II – there are a series of bleak concrete ruins and the still well kept headquarters of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces. After visiting this piece of recent history your route takes you on a cycle on the shores of Lake Mamry until reaching the sleepy port town of Wegorzewo.

Cycling distance: 45km

Day 5: Wegorzewo – Gizycko

Today you have a choice of either having a relaxing morning and then taking an afternoon ferry directly to Gizycko or doing a shorter (30km) cycle route or longer (60km) cycle route.

The shorter route takes you via Harsz, the village with the most White Stork nests in the entire tour. The longer loop takes you through Borecka forest, a forested area that has been left in its natural state. It has a rich variety of plant life and is also home to the European bison. It is nature at its pristine best and is highly recommended - there is a network of beautiful, car-free bicycle routes.

Cycling distance: 30-60km

Day 6: Gizycko – Krutyn

A 3-hour ship journey (included) takes you to Mikolajki, the St. Tropez of Masuria with an idyllic and modern city centre, an attractive sailing port and old fishing houses. An old fashioned rope ferry brings you to Popielno, a scientific breeding station for Tarpan horses. Popielno is one of the few villages on the shores of Jezioro Sniardwy, Poland’s largest lake. Dark forest paths lead to the Russian Orthodox monastery in Wojnowo past the small but lively resort of Krutyn.

Cycling distance: 40km

Day 7: Krutyn – Warsaw

You remain in Masuria the entire morning and can visit other tourist attractions in the area of Krutyn by bicycle (for example the Ernst Wiechert memorial) or you could take a highly recommended 3-hour long canoe trip on the most beautiful part of the river. The journey back to Warsaw is at 3pm.

Travel Information

We recommend flying to Warsaw Chopin or Warsaw Modlin airports. Both have regular transport routes into the city centre.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport, we recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date.

Important: Please book your flights only after this trip has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights are not included in the advertised holiday price.

General, visa, passport and health information.

For passport and visa information, please check the relevant section on this page: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports. General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Click here for the latest travel advice for Poland and click here for useful ‘know before you go’ information also from the FCO. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in the activities included as part of your holiday.

Accommodation

The Warsaw and the Masurian Lakelands tour stays in local guesthouses carefully chosen for their location, hospitality and proximity to your tour route. The first and last nights in Warsaw are in a 3* hotel.